Q 01/05

Between which years were the three Punic Wars fought?

A) 264-146 BC

B) 390-290 BC

C) 218-201 BC

D) 146-46 BC

Answer · why

A) 264-146 BC

That is 43 years of actual fighting spread over more than a century, plus a four-year revolt against Carthage.

Q 02/05

The word 'Punic' comes from a Latin adjective meaning what?

A) Sea-going

B) Phoenician

C) African

D) Enemy

Answer · why

B) Phoenician

Carthage began as a Phoenician colony and grew into an empire.

Q 03/05

Who is the most reliable ancient source for the Punic Wars?

A) Plutarch

B) Appian

C) Polybius

D) Livy

Answer · why

C) Polybius

The Greek was sent to Rome as a hostage in 167 BC and interviewed participants on both sides; Livy relied heavily on him.

Q 04/05

At the start of the First Punic War, what did Rome conspicuously lack?

A) An army

B) Allies

C) Iron

D) A navy

Answer · why

D) A navy

Carthage, by contrast, was the dominant maritime power of the western Mediterranean.

Q 05/05

Control of which Sicilian city-state sparked the First Punic War in 264 BC?

A) Messana

B) Syracuse

C) Agrigentum

D) Panormus

Answer · why

A) Messana

Modern Messina; the Romans gained a foothold there and then pressed Syracuse into alliance.